How veterans are finding what they lost in the wild

Veterans across the United States are finding new paths to healing through outdoor recreation and community-based programs. Hiking, fishing, and other shared adventures help former service members reconnect with themselves, each other, and the natural world.

Finding Peace Outdoors

For many veterans, the weight of service doesn’t come off easily. The constant state of alertness, built during active duty, can make it difficult to relax or sleep. U.S. Army Maj. (Ret.) Rick Marshall wrote in Military.com (Nov. 17, 2025) that stepping outside helped quiet the mental noise, giving him space to slow down and notice the world around him. Research supports this approach: a National Institutes of Health study found veterans who spend time in nature report lower stress and reduced PTSD symptoms, even after a single day outdoors. Simple activities like walking, fishing, or gardening can lower stress hormones and improve emotional regulation, according to a 2024 Department of Veterans Affairs report on complementary and integrative health.

Veterans Affairs is also offering structured programs like Unbroken Spirit, designed to help service members reconnect with their inner strength and build lasting connections. The free, three-phase program guides veterans through personal growth and resilience across pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment stages. Phase I is virtual, equipping participants with tools to enhance physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Phase II is a five-day wilderness adventure in North Carolina, promoting healing through nature, camaraderie, and personal challenges. Phase III provides ongoing virtual mentor-guided support to reinforce self-confidence, purpose, and leadership skills.

Community and Adventure Programs

Veterans seeking connection through shared experiences can turn to organizations like The Roaming Vet, a veteran-led community offering outdoor trips and travel adventures. Hometown Heroes Outdoors also provides hunting, fishing, and other excursions for veterans, active service members, and first responders across multiple states. These activities give participants a chance to step away from everyday pressures and connect with peers who understand their experiences.

Even brief outdoor experiences—walking, fishing, or gardening—can improve mood and promote resilience. Programs like Project Healing Waters, Warrior Expeditions, and the VA’s Mindfulness Coach app have shown measurable improvements in sleep and stress levels among participants.

Horsemanship and Connection

Equine therapy provides another pathway to healing. At 2 Ravens Foundation, veterans build trust and connection with horses through grooming and guided interactions, fostering resilience and mindfulness. The process allows participants to experience a unique form of therapy in a nonclinical setting, combining physical activity, focus, and emotional growth.

Benefits Beyond Mental Health

A common thread across these initiatives is the emphasis on connection rather than structured therapy. Shared experiences—whether on a trail, in a boat, or at a ranch—help veterans reduce stress, strengthen bonds, and promote overall well-being.

Programs also emphasize mindfulness and awareness. Veterans can shift from hypervigilance to observing small details in nature, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. The Marine Corps has explored similar mindfulness techniques to build resilience among service members.

Looking Ahead

As outdoor and veteran-focused programs continue to expand, they demonstrate the restorative power of nature, animals, and shared adventure. Veterans participating in these activities are discovering that healing doesn’t always require formal therapy; it can begin with simple steps outside and meaningful interactions with others who understand their experiences.

Through recreation, camaraderie, and structured programs, veterans across the country are finding new ways to decompress, heal, and thrive—one adventure at a time.